Inslee leads climate change workshop in Spokane

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee promises the state's health care exchange will be up and running on Oct. 1, even if the federal government has to shut down some services because Congress doesn't pass a funding resolution. (Jim Camden)

ENVIRONMENT -- Gov. Jay Inslee, and a bipartisan group of Washington legislators will be in in Spokane on Wednesday for a Climate Legislative Executive Workgroup (CLEW) meeting to clear the path for carbon reduction and clean energy investment in the state.

It's the first of three meetings to be held across the state.

I mention this in the Outdoors blog because outdoorsmen need to pay attention. Climate change is in the news for its culpability to affecting many facets of of outdoor recreation and wildlife, including the survival of moose, wolverines and salmonids.

Last spring, Governor Inslee outlined the need for swift action on curbing the state's share of climate pollution, citing the health of residents, the economy, the state's budget, and the environment as areas being seriously damaged by the current levels of carbon emissions.

Among other impacts in the region, climate disruption is being felt in Eastern Washington through the increased frequency, intensity, and life of forest fires. Climate change also has been linked to "ocean acidification," that's impacting including oyster growers and other fishing industries.

The Climate Workgroup is outline several options that can act as economic drivers to curb climate disruption, including a cap and price on carbon pollution, a clean fuels standard, an end to “coal-by-wire” energy from out of state, along with new transportation planning and investments in energy efficiency.

Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.